FARE THEE WELL 7 03 15 @ Soldier Field, Chicago Night 1

[@ChiefTapion]

I was on the floor for this show. I was just about to turn 19, and had saved up for months to be able to go. This was one of the most magical experiences of my life. An old head gave me my first ever hit of acid. I remember dancing with a girl who got miracled on to the floor to scarlet begonias/fire on the mountain. I stuck a rose in her hair and then we made out. I never saw her again. I will treasure that memory forever

[@T-Bone420]

damn brother

[@Rob-tg9lu]

atta boy

[@poknobtwister9625]

No way did any of that happen

[@kevinjones9685]

Saw 40 Daad shows--this first night at Soldier Field was right up there with many of them. Truly felt like a Dead show. The other two nights--not so muct. But the entire stadium screaming "she had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes" in unison is a memory I'll never forget

[@TransitiveNightfallofDiamonds]

The first night was stand out. I agree entirely. This had the energy and tightness of a lot of the 60 some shows I saw from the 80s. I thought night 2 and 3 were very uneven. A lot of bad mistakes, especially on Bobby's part. A lot of the time if seemed like Trey was jamming with the drummers, with everyone else just trying to keep up. But the biggest problem with night 2 and 3 was song selection. No fucking Dark Star, Steven, Eyes, UJB, Sugar Mag, Other One, Rat, Dew. -- WTF!!! These were supposed to be THE farewell shows. The Cali shows were added later. A lot of us who went to the Chicago shows did not get to go to Cali. We got screwed on song selection. The songs I listed above are essential GD. A farewell show without some of them doesn't cut it. The first night at Chicago had an amazing mid-Dead song list. No one could complain. But night 3 after Drums: wow, Days Between. Give me a Break. I was so pissed off on that. First night was killer. Help - Slip - Franks after all the rest. I was in heaven. Didn't last more than 24 hours though.

[@earthling2519]

Omg..when Phil opened up with Box...talk about goosebumps and bliss!!

[@hippyvikingfan]

I was there too ! All 3 nights !! Closest thing to a real dead show . Have enjoyed them all since in various settings . It was good closure for the GD . I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER !!!

[@mrs.f8611]

That crazy fingers was SPOT ON!!!! W2G Trey!!

[@queenjane1119]

My husband was in section 2E both nights in Chicago with Andy Cohen and Bill Walton and my husband's idiot friend through his wallet into the crowd but they returned it. What a great time I was giving birth to my daughter sugaree Cassidy but he was allowed to go to tape. I allowed it

[@queenjane1119]

Following that she was born on August 1st Jerry's birthday

[@Lionheartgus01]

I was in the pit with Bill W on night 3. 30’ from the stage and I had an obstructed view! 😂

[@queenjane1119]

Brings back memories #godblessthetapers and he came home from CHI to a beautiful baby! #NFA 👑🌹💀⚡💀👑

[@queenjane1119]

And I have the tapes still LOL

[@ellendunsmore4682]

How could anyone give this a "thumbs-down", let alone 3 people? Trey-haters I suppose, but you just have to face it, Trey killed-it! I'm a huge, long-time Phish fan, and Trey blew-away even my expectations of him...he's not Jerry, but he's not supposed to be Jerry...and who the hell is?

[@erictrojan624]

Aa

[@t.j.brando6822]

I was working the day the tickets went on sale The show was around my 30th birthday and I didn’t think it would happen for me, but I asked my mom to try and secure tickets while I was at work. I figured “meh, if Jerry wants me there , I’ll be there, somehow” My mom managed to score tickets through Ticketmaster for all 3 nights, even though they sold out faster than any show in history. Glad I was meant to be there!

[@grateful86]

Dead fan since 82. Seen 23 shows between 84 and 89. Love the current Dead & Company lineup with John Mayer. Seen them 3 times. Jack straw was actually the first song I've witnessed live at my very first show, this was the hottest version yet!

[@Muzzychipmunk]

Just for clarification, you're saying this jack straw with trey was hotter than a mid 80s jack straw with jerry?

[@ellendunsmore4682]

I have to admit, as someone who was born in 79' and was a teen throughout the 90's, freaking John Mayer has just blown me away recently with his guitar-playing...I saw him play in-person at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland in 2014, when he inducted SRV and Double Trouble, and played with Double Trouble and Jimmy Vaughn, and all I kept saying to myself the entire time was "What the hell was that "Room For Squares" album he did?" Mayer is definitely not the pop-star people think of him as, that's for sure...

[@FaqueGoogle-wo6ip]

@@Muzzychipmunk even a 90's, some smokin versions then also. Trey tore it up but....

[@rm1133]

Trey so badly wanted to play that intro into Fire on the Mountain but Bruce jumped the gun on it big time. Oh well. I would’ve liked to have heard that part! 🔥

[@scjohnk]

Trey knew his role. He never overstepped, played wonderfully, embraced the experience and made these shows the best that they could have been. He's a true professional.

[@ShaantanuShendeMusic]

3:12:49 - Help On The Way

[@patrickmoran5849]

Bill Walton groovin in the crowd near beginning of The Wheel. Love it!

[@katfishjohn]

Was a grand ole time.. what an event! First time listening to the shows since I was there. Im glad I came back for a revisit. 💀💀

[@donstevenson2660]

Thanks Mike, the cable Co. screwed up that Friday. 7 years later I finally have the pleasure.

[@albinoguitman]

No problem. I'm just glad YT hasn't taken these down. They're great shows!

[@zachz2333]

What a monster jack straw from trey! They killed it

[@kerritorzewski1672]

My morning jacket Austin city limits

[@KevinMitchell-fm5bc]

Zach Z totally agree

[@fatmanrocked]

Pretty much a monster everything this night. Had a blast.

[@TransitiveNightfallofDiamonds]

Trey's distinctive style fits like a glove with some GD songs. Let it Grow is one that he sounds absolutely amazing in.

[@thomasjgarrickiiim.s.ed.7075]

Saw both nights in Santa Clara…. But missed the shows in Chicago!!!!!

[@nedtheproducer5777]

I find it wild how they all get on stage like they never left

[@ShaantanuShendeMusic]

1:58:00 - Scarlet/Fire 😆

[@johnsiegel7912]

Does anyone know the song being played at intermission (around 1:20:05)? Apologies, I'm a new fan!

[@nubofit]

The song is being played by circles around the sun, who were commissioned to make music for the set breaks for these events. Sure sounds purrdy

[@Bill-b5g]

RIP PHIL

[@tychobergquist3885]

Who is Trey smiling at at 3:28:24?

[@dimitriostheodorides1580]

Trey is just incredible. He manages to maintain his own identity while doing justice for the DEAD. WHAT A DREAM COME TRUE IDOLIZING THESE GUYS AND THEN PLAYING FOR THEM ONE DAY I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THAT MUST FEEL LIKE❤😂🎉

[@WooodyWooden]

Go you Baltimore Orioles, baby !

[@craigjohnson2614]

I’d like to see phish do terrapin station on Halloween this year , with bob and Mickey .

[@mfol66]

one of the best concerts i ever went to. fuckin trey man. crushed it.

[@livinglargeandfree8322]

time flys

[@nedrobinson7490]

Brad Cousino and August dies. And the world grows dark and mean. But this was such a shining blazing beam of light. What a moment in time...

[@TransitiveNightfallofDiamonds]

This show has a pretty amazing second set list post drums. Most Dead shows would just close after a song or two after drums. Playing, Let it Grow, and Help-Slip-Franks was pretty inspired to bring things to an amazing finale. Too bad Day 2 and Day 3 could not keep that energy up.

[@TransitiveNightfallofDiamonds]

Oh, and I forgot the Caboose!! What an inspired choice that was. IN fact, the whole second set is standout. First set medley is killer as well. Weird that Night 1 is an 11 and Night 2 and 3 are spotty. Lots of highs, but lots of lows as well. Wad shot on day 1.

[@apacheverdechildofgod]

😊😊😊#LOVEOVERALLWISDOM

[@pyroking5702]

Where did july 4th go

[@TheAidanj]

What are all the letters in the beginning?

[@ellendunsmore4682]

People writing-in to the Dead's headquarters for tickets to one of the 3 nights in Chicago...Those are the custom-designed envelopes all of the Dead fans sent their ticket-orders in...

[@TheAidanj]

Thanks! Are they asking for free tickets on the merit of their envelope design, or are these tickets being purchased?

[@Sleepy_Alligator]

@@TheAidanj $$$

[@anthonycollin6535]

You see my friend, life was a lot simpler with mail order tickets. I think most would agree.

[@andrepeltier5798]

@@TheAidanj No, they pay. Some people just like decorating the envelopes. I think they think it will make them stand out and be more likely to get the tix they want.

[@chefjoelmann7]

whats up with mickey? wearing golves? and playing with padded sticks? anybody know?

[@johnstamos8403]

He was gay at this time, so he wanted to stand out

[@chettee]

It‘s not about singing in this band, right?

[@albinoguitman]

The singing is 👍

[@707strait]

Passenger…. The goods

[@sideshowbob]

The interview afterwards w/Gans @ 3:50:00 = Utterly gets to the Essence of why Dead & Co Sucks so bad compared to anything that came before it - Mayernnaise is simply NOT an Improvisational musician - he can learn the songs well, but is completely Lost when it comes to any sort of "musical conversation" - the whole Affair is nothing more than a Greatest Hits Sing Along for Toucheads who got into the band for all the wrong reasons - "hey I can buy drugs in the parking lot - this is a Bitchin' party"

[@MScal0316]

Respectfully, Clapton and BB King would disagree. I'm going to trust their judgement on great guitar playing over yours. Stop clamoring for something that was never going to be and enjoy it for what it is. Phil is in his 80's now, the others are well into their 70's. Garcia didn't play in a band full of 60, 70, 80 year old musicians. It's apples and oranges. I'm happy any day I get to here Weir play in 2023 and beyond. Even if I'm not crazy about some of his musical choices, their his choices to make and I accept it.

[@sideshowbob]

@@MScal0316 Well that's exactly my point - BB & Clapton, while Great AT WHAT THEY DO (blues, rock, blues/rock) are NOT Improvisational Musicians (well OK Clapton was for a while in the Cream era, but it wasn't ever his strong suit - he only did it as it was the Style at the Time). Mayer may be Great at what he does, but it certainly shouldn't be filling the Jerry spot in a Dead reunion band. Plenty of others came before & did an Amazing job (Warren, Jimmy, Barry, Larry, John K, Kimock, etc). Mayernnaise should stick to the 13 year old girl music he knows best. I choose to move on & find a Plethora of young, up & coming jam band & semi-jam bands & other weird, experimental type music to consume. The venues are small, ticket prices cheap, access easy. No way I'm paying the prices for tickets / parking / drinks / etc at stadiums to hear Bobby Wheeze thru yet another Obligatory Jerry ballad he should NOT be attempting to "sing" (Black Peter, Morning Dew, Stella Blue, etc). I'm Done w/Phil too, once he forced his talentless son on us at every gig, playing unpsychedelic warmed over Americana, also charging Outrageous prices. But sure, have fun, yeah, 'cause chugging $18 tall boys & talking loudly w/your friends thru the whole show you just paid $200 in tic's & $50 in parking for is Where It's At lmfao.

[@MScal0316]

@@sideshowbob I think we would find more common ground musically than you think. You mentioned "moving on" and finding all of these young up and coming artists yet you're clamoring for a time when Warren Haynes, Kimock, Kadlecik, Herring were in the Jerry spot. Not entirely fair on your part. Mayer is not for everyone and that's ok. Don't listen to it and enjoy what you enjoy, as you already do! He was a pop star. He's not appealing to you and me. My issue is when people try dumping on him as a musician. That's where you lose credibility. The talent on guitar speaks for itself. You don't get endorsed by some of the greatest guitar players of all time unless you are incredibly good at playing the guitar. Period. I'd also point out YOU keep making the Jerry comparison, not me or anyone else. Mayer has even said you'd need multiple hands to recreate what Garcia did. He's been nothing but respectful since day one, something else people who share your opinion conveniently ignore. Stop with the damn comparisons when the only time it's said is by trolls on both sides of this argument. I will give you credit, most of the people dumping on Dead & Co are from the "Phil is keeping the spirit alive, mannn" crowd. I'm sorry but you (not you Bob, "you" as in the Phil people) cannot dump on Dead & Co while praising Lesh & his band in 2023. Those are the rules. And spot on assessment about Graham but he's not going away, it's really forced and it almost brings the whole band down, in my opinion. Nice of Phil to give his kid a job forever. Bob, we AGREE on Bobby and the Jerry ballads. One of my issues with Dead & Co has been Weir's reluctance to cede the catalog. He should be ceding songs to John (a non starter for you I know 😂) and Oteil (if you don't like Oteil then wth man, get some Oteil in your life. Oteil has an album of Jerry ballads coming out later this year). Weir could save his voice during these grinding tours, the songs can get a fresh voice behind them etc. What would it hurt? Weir has always been all over the map lyrically too. Songs like Black Peter you need to be RIGHT in the pocket and not "allofmyfriendscometoseemelastnight" in one quick breath. Jerry was masterful at that. It's totally understandable to not want to pay outrageous prices on tickets, parking etc. That alone is a perfectly reasonable argument to not go. For me, it's become an event and something I do with my best friend every year. I don't begrudge anyone who doesn't like it but it's the people trying to minimize others who enjoy it that I have absolutely no time for.

[@MScal0316]

@@sideshowbob "$18 tall boys". Bob, have you been to a stadium in the last decade...or two? You talk like you have because you seem to know an awful lot about the concert experience and what's happening these days. The things you mentioned, talking , not paying attention, $18 beers) have been the reality in stadiums and ballparks across the country for a long time. I was at a baseball game last week and literally almost nobody was paying attention. I watched more people get up and take pictures in front of the field. That is life in 2023. It's not unique to any particular band or stadium. It's reality. You don't have to like it and clearly you don't as there's a lot of projection going on here. You used "TouchHeads" which is the ultimate "get off my lawn" nickname. When exactly did you give up on the Grateful Dead, Bob? You clearly have a better ear than some of the greatest musicians of all time. When did you have enough?

[@sideshowbob]

@@MScal0316 Bwaaaaa ha ha haaaaaaa - yeah, that's me, "Buzzkill Bob". I know; YMMV. & yeah, "Get Off My Lawn, I Saw Jerry Before He Was A Junkie" I know so-called jazz fans who think Spyro Gyra & Kenny G are Supreme "jazz" acts. Sure sounds like it, superficially . . . & oh yeah, Nickel Creek is good "bluegrass", Avett Bro's good "folk", Joe Bonamassa good "blues", Van Halen good "metal". YMMV . . .

[@raymartinson1284]

Love these guys, love the show, love Phil, but I'm afraid I have to say that I wish he'd left 'Box of Rain' in the beautiful box that was 'American Beauty'....can't say I enjoy his execution here...

[@rlee6503]

You might have missed the connection. Box of Rain was the very last song ever played by the Grateful Dead. (the encore (Black Muddy River and Box Of Rain) It was played here at Solder's Field. July 9th 1995. one month later...

[@ellendunsmore4682]

I got the connection...but Phil isn't the best singer, I think that's all he meant...But really, who cares if he can't sing, it's Phil...

[@wangson]

Agreed.